Lightweight AR-15 7.62x39 Upper

Jackal11 · September 5, 2021, 09:56 PM

Seeking suggestions for who makes some lightweight 7.62x39 uppers (e.g. thin barrels) for stalking hunts with lots of hiking. No front sight as I want to install a folding front sight. Prefer a skeletonized top-rail forend but a standard polymer handguard would be ok if thats the only way to get a lightweight barrel.

Thanks for any help.

10-96 · September 6, 2021, 08:50 AM

I'm not sure what's available for light barrels in x39, but I would look for a light skeletonized aluminum or a carbon fiber handguard. The plastic/poly handguards won't be near stable enough to put a sight on. With the Free floated ones, you can go with one that goes all the way to the end of the barrel which will also extend your sight radius to it's maximum potential.

9x19 · September 6, 2021, 09:03 AM

I haven't come across a thin profile barrel in 7.62x39 All I've seen are either heavy or M4 contour.

I went short over thin.

berettaprofessor · September 6, 2021, 09:53 AM

This one is the lightest complete upper I know of (3.5#) without building it yourself: https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/ar-...echarging.html

Jim Watson · September 6, 2021, 07:16 PM

There used to be shops that would turn a barrel down for a reasonable price.

GeauxTide · September 7, 2021, 10:37 AM

I had my Grendel barrel fluted, taking 6 ounces off. You're not gonna find a light x39 barrel, so turn or flute.

kymasabe · September 7, 2021, 08:50 PM

Well, I think the easiest way for a light x39 build is going to be to build it yourself. If you dont need forward assist or dust cover, get the anderson slick side upper. Between the forgings that arent needed and the other components, will save almost half a pound.
Next, as others have mentioned, find a barrel you like and have it lightened/fluted.
Lastly, you have to decide its purpose (well, that should actually come first, but anyway...) and decide if you're gonna use a scope, red dot, or sights. I have a lightweight AR with a pencil barrel, gas block looks like an A2 front sight that's been cut down, and its carbine length gas with delta ring and magpul moe sl handguard. I use red dot only on mine, no place for a front sight. Very little weight past the gas block, she's light and fast... Sure, you can run full length free float handguards and front and rear sights, but adds weight up front. All depends on what you want to build.

stagpanther · September 8, 2021, 01:45 PM

You're going to run up against the physical limitations of your caliber bore width and what is practical for a threaded muzzle.

September 5, 2021, 09:56 PM	#1
Jackal11 Member Join Date: February 27, 2017 Posts: 15	Lightweight AR-15 7.62x39 Upper Seeking suggestions for who makes some lightweight 7.62x39 uppers (e.g. thin barrels) for stalking hunts with lots of hiking. No front sight as I want to install a folding front sight. Prefer a skeletonized top-rail forend but a standard polymer handguard would be ok if thats the only way to get a lightweight barrel. Thanks for any help.

September 6, 2021, 08:50 AM	#2
10-96 Senior Member Join Date: October 19, 2005 Location: Tx Panhandle Territory Posts: 4,159	I'm not sure what's available for light barrels in x39, but I would look for a light skeletonized aluminum or a carbon fiber handguard. The plastic/poly handguards won't be near stable enough to put a sight on. With the Free floated ones, you can go with one that goes all the way to the end of the barrel which will also extend your sight radius to it's maximum potential. __________________ Rednecks... Keeping the woods critter-free since March 2, 1836. (TX Independence Day) I suspect a thing or two... because I've seen a thing or two.

September 6, 2021, 09:03 AM	#3
9x19 Senior Member Join Date: October 15, 1998 Location: Sherman, TX USA Posts: 3,750	I haven't come across a thin profile barrel in 7.62x39 All I've seen are either heavy or M4 contour. I went short over thin. __________________ Make mine lean, mean, and 9x19!

September 6, 2021, 09:53 AM	#4
berettaprofessor Senior Member Join Date: November 23, 2008 Posts: 1,091	This one is the lightest complete upper I know of (3.5#) without building it yourself: https://www.bearcreekarsenal.com/ar-...echarging.html __________________ "What most people forget is that the first country the Nazi's conquered was their own." 44AMP on thefiringline.com

September 7, 2021, 10:37 AM	#6
GeauxTide Senior Member Join Date: April 20, 2009 Location: Helena, AL Posts: 4,423	I had my Grendel barrel fluted, taking 6 ounces off. You're not gonna find a light x39 barrel, so turn or flute. __________________ Reloading For: 223R, 243W, 6.5 GR, 6.5 CM, 260R, 6.5-06, 280R, 7mmRM, 300HAM'R, 308W, 30-06, 338-06, 9mm, 357M, 41M, 44SPL, 44M, 45 ACP, 45 Colt, 450BM.

September 6, 2021, 07:16 PM	#5
Jim Watson Senior Member Join Date: October 25, 2001 Location: Alabama Posts: 18,535	There used to be shops that would turn a barrel down for a reasonable price.

September 7, 2021, 08:50 PM	#7
kymasabe Senior Member Join Date: June 10, 2005 Location: SW Florida Posts: 2,747	Well, I think the easiest way for a light x39 build is going to be to build it yourself. If you dont need forward assist or dust cover, get the anderson slick side upper. Between the forgings that arent needed and the other components, will save almost half a pound. Next, as others have mentioned, find a barrel you like and have it lightened/fluted. Lastly, you have to decide its purpose (well, that should actually come first, but anyway...) and decide if you're gonna use a scope, red dot, or sights. I have a lightweight AR with a pencil barrel, gas block looks like an A2 front sight that's been cut down, and its carbine length gas with delta ring and magpul moe sl handguard. I use red dot only on mine, no place for a front sight. Very little weight past the gas block, she's light and fast... Sure, you can run full length free float handguards and front and rear sights, but adds weight up front. All depends on what you want to build. __________________ God's creatures big and small, eat them one, eat them all.

September 8, 2021, 01:45 PM	#8
stagpanther Senior Member Join Date: March 2, 2014 Posts: 11,762	You're going to run up against the physical limitations of your caliber bore width and what is practical for a threaded muzzle. __________________ "Everyone speaks gun."--Robert O'Neill *I am NOT an expert--I do not have any formal experience or certification in firearms use or testing; use any information I post at your own risk!*

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